Almost everyone has at least one flaw in their smile that they’d like to correct. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry offers many treatments that can help your teeth look their best. One of the most versatile of these is porcelain veneers, which can effectively transform a smile by covering up flaws like chips, cracks, stains, gaps, or even misaligned or misshapen teeth. Here’s a brief guide to the process of getting porcelain veneers, including what each step involves.
Step One: Consultation
The process of getting porcelain veneers begins with a consultation with your dentist. During this meeting, you and your dentist will discuss the goals you have for the procedure. They will also thoroughly examine your mouth to gather valuable information that will allow them to develop a customized treatment plan for you. If any tooth decay or gum disease is found, it will have to be resolved before veneers can be placed.
Step Two: Preparing the Teeth
Once porcelain veneers are determined to be a suitable way to meet your goals for your smile, your dentist will have to prepare your teeth for them. After numbing the area with a local anesthetic, they will remove a tiny amount of enamel from the teeth being treated to make room for the veneers. They will then take impressions of your treated teeth and fix temporary veneers upon them so you can get used to wearing them. You will then be sent on your way, and your bite impressions will be sent to a lab.
Step Three: Manufacturing Porcelain Veneers
At the lab, a skilled technician will use your bite impressions and any additional instructions from your dentist to manufacture a customized set of veneers for you. These will be designed to seamlessly fit in with your natural teeth in terms of color while improving their shape and appearance. Once complete, your veneers will be sent back to your dentist’s office.
Step Four: Placing Porcelain Veneers
You will come back to the dentist’s office about two weeks after your first appointment. There, your dentist will once again numb the area being treated before removing the temporary veneers and fixing the permanent set into place. They will then make any final adjustments before sending you off to enjoy your new beautiful smile.
Porcelain veneers have allowed many patients to achieve more ideal smiles. Consulting with your dentist can determine if veneers are the best treatment for your needs.
About the Author
Dr. Gary Chaffee earned his dental degree from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 1975 before completing a two-year Progressive Orthodontics Program. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His office in Newbury Park, CA offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as porcelain veneers. To schedule a cosmetic dental consultation, contact the office online or dial (805) 480-0033.